Are you self-conscious about that missing tooth? Do you find it difficult to eat the foods that you want, or have you noticed your teeth shifting into the empty space at the back of your mouth?
Perhaps it is time to seriously consider dental implants as a permanent solution.
The end result of dental implants is a comfortable and durable fit that looks and functions like the rest of your regular teeth. The emotional, psychological, and functional benefits of dental implants often far outweigh their cost!
Our Fergus dentists here at Country Dental have compiled this Dental Implant FAQ blog to help you become familiar with this procedure.
What Are Dental Implants?
Your tooth has two main components:
- The Crown, which we see above the surface of the gum
- And the Root, which is below the gum line and encased in bone
When a tooth has fallen out, a dental implant acts as an artificial root that is used to attach the new artificial crown or tooth. Typically made from titanium metal, the dental implant is surgically placed into your jawbone. The new replacement tooth looks and feels like a natural tooth.
Dental Implant Surgery Procedure – What To Expect
- Preparations: Our Fergus dentists will examine your general dental health, gums, and jawbone, and determine if dental implants are right for you. This can include x-rays of your head, jaw, and teeth.
- Phase 1: Using sedation or local anesthesia, our Periodontist will drill a hole in the jawbone to place the dental implant. The gum is secured back over the implant until the implant fuses to the bone (Osseointegration). This can take between three and six months for complete fusion and healing.
- Phase 2: Once the dental implant is healed, a post (Abutment) is added as an extension of the implant, which connects the artificial tooth to the root.
For more information about dental implant procedures in Canada visit this Canadian Dental Association page.
What Is the Cost of Dental implants?
The question of what dental implants cost is always one of the first to come up when discussing the topic. The cost of dental implants varies based on the complexity of the procedure, how many implants are needed, and the type of prosthetic tooth used. In the long run, over multiple years, implants can be the most cost effective solution to missing teeth.
At Country Dental, we offer an affordable dental implant payment plan, with 0% interest dental financing made available through PayBright. We will also provide a dental implant quote that includes all cost factors, which can also include bone grafting and other necessary procedures.
Do I Have Dental Implant Insurance Coverage?
Some dental insurance plans cover implants. Refer to your information package provided by your insurance company or call their customer service line. Alternately, our friendly receptionist can help determine your dental implant insurance coverage.
Can Any Regular Dentist Do Dental Implants?
No, not all dentists can perform dental implants. This is a specialized surgery and many dentists may refer you to an oral surgeon who has specialized training and coursework. At Country Dental in Fergus, Dr. Ryan Schure is our in-house dental specialist and Periodontist. He specializes in treatment planning and dental implant surgery.
Do Dental Implants Hurt?
Many patients worry about dental implant pain. Implants involve drilling into the jawbone and can be uncomfortable. At Country Dental, we offer both local anesthesia and sedation dentistry for our patients, depending on their pain tolerance and how worried they may be about the dental procedure.
Common post-surgery symptoms can include:
- Swelling of the gums and face
- Bruising of your skin and gums
- Pain at the implant site
- Minor bleeding
Many people need to eat soft foods for 10-14 days after surgery as their gums recover.
What Are The Problems With Dental Implants?
There can be rare complications with dental implant surgery, including:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Numbness or injury to nearby muscles or sinus cavity
In very rare cases the implant does not successfully bond to the bone and the implant does not work.
What’s The Difference Between A Dental Bridge and Implant?
Dental Bridge – This is a fixed bridge where the new tooth (crown) is fixed into place by attaching to the two adjacent teeth. Dental bridges are less costly and require less healing time for the end result. The downside of bridges is that enamel must be removed from adjacent teeth so there is potential for tooth decay, and root canal treatment may be required if nerves are affected. Learn all about root canals in our Root Canal FAQ article.
Dental Implant – This is an actual root replacement where the new tooth (crown) is fastened on to the titanium implant inserted into the jawbone. In general, dental implants do not decay, are less likely to develop gum disease, and are more functional and reliable over time. The downside is that implants require minor surgery, have a longer healing time, and are more costly.
Our Fergus dentists can explain both dental procedures in full detail and help you decide the right option based on your oral health and personal preferences.
What Are Mini Dental Implants?
Mini implants are a newer type of dental implant that emerged just 5 to 10 years ago as an alternative to traditional implants. Much smaller in size, mini dental implants can often be placed and loaded in one day. The procedure is generally less invasive. Speak with our dentists at Country Dental for more information and other benefits of mini implants.
Do I Really Need Dental Implants?
If you are missing a tooth you may be wondering if you need a dental implant or if you can just leave the empty space in your mouth. You may not be self-conscious about the gap or the missing tooth may not even show when you smile.
But there are several non-cosmetic reasons why dental implants are very important and should be considered. They can help:
- Prevent teeth from shifting
- Prevent bone loss
- Prevent plaque from hiding in unnecessary gaps in your teeth (which can lead to decay and infection down the road)
- Prevent new stress from being applied to teeth near the hole (which can lead to fractured, cracked, and other broken teeth)
Our Fergus periodontist at Country Dental would be happy to explain the entire dental implant procedure to you plus provide a cost estimate and help you determine what your insurance may cover.
Call our Fergus dental office at 519-620-7474 to book your dental implant consultation today or try one of our other 2 clinic locations:
Toronto : 416-335-7377
Fergus: 519-787-7878
